Meet the Newest Charter Schools Opening Across Colorado

The League is proud to welcome nine new schools to Colorado's charter school community for the 2026–27 school year. From Denver and Colorado Springs to Fort Collins, Montrose, and Grand Junction, these schools expand high-quality public school options across the state. The League is honored to support charter school development from concept to opening, and partnerships like Great Schools Colorado helped make many of these new schools possible.

Please join us in welcoming the newest members of Colorado's charter school community:

• Ascend College Prep (Colorado Springs) — Formerly authorized as a contract school, Ascend College Prep is now authorized by the Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI). Led by Principal Karin McWhorter, the school serves students in grades 10–12 through a collaborative, small-group learning model.

• East Hills Academy (Colorado Springs) — Authorized by Colorado Springs School District 11, East Hills Academy serves students in grades K–2 through a classical education model under Executive Director Dan Ajamian. The campus also offers half- and full-day preschool operated by District 11.

• Free Horizon Montessori (Golden) — Authorized by Jefferson County School District R-1, Free Horizon transitioned from a district-run Option School to a charter school. Led by Principal Donnetta MacDonald, it serves students in grades PK–8 using a Montessori approach.

• Independence Classical Academy (Elizabeth) — This is a new school, authorized by the Elizabeth School District. Independence Classical Academy serves students in grades K–8 with plans to expand into a K–12 classical academy. The school is led by Headmaster Jessica Turner.

• John Adams Academy (Greenwood Village) — Authorized by CSI, John Adams Academy is a new school that serves students in grades K–8 through an American Classical Leadership model under Founding Headmaster Sarah Kiesewetter.

• Lavender Bee Montessori (Grand Junction) — Authorized by CSI, Lavender Bee Montessori is the second Wildflower Montessori Public School campus in Colorado's Grand Valley. Its microschool serves students in grades PK–K through a Montessori learning model.

• Liberty Common Junior High School (Fort Collins) — An expansion of the established Liberty Common School, this new junior high campus is authorized by Poudre School District R-1 and serves students through a Core Knowledge curriculum under Principal Kathleen Kearney.

• Montrose Classical Academy (Montrose) — Authorized by Montrose County RE-1J, this new school opens with grades K–5 and will add one grade each year until serving K–8. Executive Director Alyssa Reimer leads the school's classical education model.

• Spruce Community School (Colorado Springs) — Newly opened and authorized by Colorado Springs School District 11, the Spruce Community School serves students in grades K–8 through a project-based learning model led by Executive Director Loren Reynolds.

For more information on these or other charter schools in Colorado, please visit our Colorado Charter School Finder.